Explain lack of committee letter on secondaries?

[doryphore]

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Hi, sorry I couldn't find a previous thread that quite described what I'm looking for.

I graduated from a fairly well known undergrad institution in May 2012 that churns out a lot of applicants and matriculants to medical school each year. This past spring, I went to ask the pre-med advisor at my undergrad for a committee letter. I had met with him a number of times while I was a student there. At my undergrad, he and interview with you, then writes your committee letter.

He said that he did not have the time to write letters for students who have graduated already, and so the policy is to not do it for students who apply more than one year after graduating. I'm finishing up my secondaries now, and my question is:

if there is the opportunity on secondaries (one of those "Is there anything else you'd like us to know?" questions), should I make a brief statement that my undergrad institution has a policy of not doing committee letters for students who are more than one year out of school? Would this just draw attention to the fact?

 

[ciestar]

That's really a shame...
What school did you attend if you don't mind me asking?

I thought I was going to run into trouble with this myself, but my pre-med advisor emailed me all the committee interview materials I have to complete. So I just have to get the ball rolling on that to find my LoRs from people to submit to them...

 

[askamsky51]

Hi, sorry I couldn't find a previous thread that quite described what I'm looking for.

I graduated from a fairly well known undergrad institution in May 2012 that churns out a lot of applicants and matriculants to medical school each year. This past spring, I went to ask the pre-med advisor at my undergrad for a committee letter. I had met with him a number of times while I was a student there. At my undergrad, he and interview with you, then writes your committee letter.

He said that he did not have the time to write letters for students who have graduated already, and so the policy is to not do it for students who apply more than one year after graduating. I'm finishing up my secondaries now, and my question is:

if there is the opportunity on secondaries (one of those "Is there anything else you'd like us to know?" questions), should I make a brief statement that my undergrad institution has a policy of not doing committee letters for students who are more than one year out of school? Would this just draw attention to the fact?

Only if they ask for justification. Some schools do require explanation (USUHS if i remember is one). Otherwise they really don't care and/or know your school has a premed committee. I think your reasoning for not having one is completely legit. It won't hurt you.

I went to a school that had one, and I chose to opt out from it because their premed group was garbage. I pretty much wrote just that, too... You'll be fine.

 

[rfvbnmju]

Just say your school has a committee but they are unable to help alumni and you'll be fine .

Sent from my phone.

 

[Narmerguy]

I agree with the above. I didn't use my school's committee letter, but they certainly were willing to offer one to alumni. I think you'll be fine, if you weren't eligible for a committee letter no one will be upset with you for not having one.